Harney County, Oregon

Harney County was created on February 25, 1889 from the southern two-thirds of Grant County. This particular county was named in honor of William S. Harney (1800 - 1889), a cavalry officer of the period, who was involved in the Pig War.

Harney County Courthouse and Government Records

Researchers frequently overlook the great importance of Harney County court, probate, and land records data as a useful resource of ancestry and genealogy information. Buried away in Oregon courthouses and archives everywhere are the ambitions and frustrations of countless Oregon residents. The possibilities are excellent that your forefathers have left a comprehensive document of at least a number of facets of their lives in the Harney County court records. Even if your forebears is not referred to in a Court case, contemplate all of the other procedures that could have lead to him or her to appear in court records.

Please contact the clerk's office to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics in advance of visiting or asking for information because of occasionally changing contact details. The Department Offices DO NOT DO RESEARCH. The records are readily available to interested parties, barring private issues. Many workers will guide people in finding the resources, however it is up to the particular person to undertake the research.

The below specifics indicates whatever death, marriage, birth,, land, probate, and court records are typically in Harney County. The dates stated below are considered the first noted records data for this county.

Harney County Clerk has many duties which include vital statistics (births, deaths, marriage) and keeps a permanent public record of real estate transactions.

Address: 450 N. Buena Vista, Burns, OR 97720

Phone: (541) 573-6641

Marriage Records: 1889

Land Records: 1871

Harney County Circuit Court Clerk has general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases, and typically handle cases beyond the jurisdiction of other courts. Circuit Courts also handle divorce, child custody, disputes over title to land, probate matters, juvenile cases, guardianship, adoption, involuntary commitment, and requests for injunctions.

Address: 450 N. Buena Vista, Burns, OR 97770

Phone: 541.573.5207

Court Records: 1889

Probate Records: 1885

Harney County Records Inventory(http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us) The Oregon Historical County Records Guide includes descriptions and listings for each type of record in the inventory. Each series description includes a title and a description of how the records are used (function); types of records that may be included in each category (physical content); type of information that may be found (informational content)

Harney County Links

The following are links to Family history and genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Harney County. Most of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Business oriented Sites, Personal Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some have to have a cost. This is just a list that has been gathered or submitted. I do not endorse or promote one genealogy site above another. Feel free to suggest your own most popular Harney County genealogy or family history related sites.

Harney Co. OR Books, Newspapers & Publications

Historical Newspapers from Oregon (1816 - 1923)(genealogybank.com) Immediately find names and keywords in over 450 million articles, obituaries, marriage announcements, birth notices and other items printed in over 2,800 historic U.S. newspapers. Completely new content added on a monthly basis!

Harney Co. OR Military Records

Oregon Military Records(Fold3.com) delivers access to military records, stories, photos, and personal documents of the Oregon both women and men which served. Ideal for Harney County genealogists, researchers, historians and more.